Chapter 158
Chapter 158:
In the days that followed, Austin took on the role of Brinley’s personal chauffeur.
One morning, as Brinley finished getting dressed and was about to head to the construction site, she spotted Austin coming down the stairs, car keys glinting in his hand.
“I thought Miguel was supposed to drive me today?” Brinley remarked, tilting her head with a questioning look.
She clearly remembered Austin had an international video conference scheduled—one he wasn’t supposed to miss at this hour.
Closing the distance, Austin smoothly plucked the hard hat from her hand and replied, “The meeting got pushed back. I’ll take you instead p>
Brinley’s brows lifted. “You’re headed to the office, and I’m going to the construction site. We’re going in opposite directions p>
Austin let out a soft chuckle and brushed a stray lock of hair back into place. “I’m going to the materials market near your site. They just got a shipment of imported protective gear. I figured you could use it—and I wanted to check the quality myself p>
His tone carried quiet conviction, his eyes warm and unwavering, but Brinley still wasn’t entirely convinced.
Even so, she didn’t press, and she accepted the ride.
Sliding into the Maybach’s passenger seat, she stole a sidelong glance at Austin as he drove with practiced ease.
She was lost in thought. This was already the fifth time this week he’d made time to drive her. Wherever she needed to go, Austin always seemed to have a perfectly timed excuse to offer her a ride.
In𝘵е𝘯𝗌𝗲 𝗋𝗈𝘮ance on.с𝗼𝗺
At first, Miguel had gone through the motions of offering, but before long he stopped pretending. Now he simply forwarded her schedule straight to Austin and happily enjoyed the extra hours of freedom.
The car eased out through the villa gates and glided onto the main road. Brinley sat turned toward the window, watching the city blur past, until her curiosity finally spilled out.
“Austin, haven’t you been busy lately?” she asked.
His hands stilled on the steering wheel for a fraction of a second. When he glanced at her, the corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement. “Why would you say that p>
“You’re the powerful CEO of Moore Group, yet you’ve been hovering around me all day, acting as my chauffeur. Doesn’t that feel beneath you?” Her tone carried humor, but there was a sharper seriousness underneath.
She had noticed how he’d trimmed away countless unimportant social obligations and even rearranged his schedule—just to drive her back and forth.
His attentiveness had gone far beyond the casual habits of most married couples.
Austin let out a low laugh and returned his gaze to the open road. “Nothing in my world matters more than you p>
The words made her pulse skitter, warmth creeping into her cheeks as she turned quickly toward the window, pretending she hadn’t heard. Still, the strange sensation lingered—like a pebble dropped into calm water, ripples spreading endlessly through her chest.
When the car rolled to a stop at the site entrance, she unfastened her seatbelt, ready to step out.
Austin’s hand closed gently around her wrist, stopping her. “I’ll pick you up tonight,” he said, his gaze steady and intent. “We’ll have dinner at a restaurant p>
“There’s no need. I might be stuck working late…” Brinley murmured, hesitant.
“Late or not, you still have to eat,” Austin cut in, his tone firm—the kind that left no room for refusal.